Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-15
FOLSOM PRISON.
[oosr1suED FROM SECOND rAeE.]

The Warden then read the report on the
issues of the investigation, which was fol-
lowed by an oral resume of the case of
Vickery, detailing the circumstances of the
discovery OF the plot to escape and the
arrest of the conspirators. About p. NJ
after an executive session of couple of
hours, the Commission reported as follows:
Director DeyEn moved that the follow
ing be adopted:
In the matter of inQuiring into the solitary
confinement and punishment at Folsom Prison,
the State Board OF Prison Directors, having fully
investigated the matter of solitary confinement
and punishment at the Folsom Prison, and
having heard the testimony of all prisoners
having atements to make on that subject, and
the sworn testimony of the officers. and having
considered the replies received rom the
wardens of various prisons in the United States
now agree on the following conclusion:
First-The only punishment now in vogue at
the Folsom Prison iswhat is known as solitary
confinement. This mode of punishment, in a
greater or less degree, is also followed in all
Eastern prisons. and IN those prisons other
severe punishmeIts, such as hogging, shower
ing, ball and chain, hanging by wrists, spank
ing with board, manacling to floor, ETC.. are in
flieted, but none of such punishments are in
flicted at Folsom.
Second-Solitary punishment, as practiced at
Folsom, is as follows: Every cell in the prison
is of the same size and similar in construction.
There are no dungeons in the prison. On the
south side OF the prison there are forty cells :;
twelve of these are those in which
prisoners in solitary confinement are
placed. These cells are clean and as well
lighted and ventilated as the otner cells. Over
the middle row OF holes in the cell door hood
is placed. which prevents the entry OF tools or
weapons and in some degree shuts out the
light, but not the air. Above these solitary
cells, however, an opening is made in the walls
for the admission Of light and air, with which
the other cells, with q few exceptions, are not
provided. The cell floors are of cement, the
same as the other cells.
Third-The prisoners in solitary confinement
receive the same food and clothing of the lower
grade of prisoners, as the other prisoners
which is ample in quantity. The rules OF the
prison are that the prisoners shall have a bath
once Il week or thereabouts, and that they shall
be given ample exercise. We find that they
have had sufficient baths and have had as much
exercise as the convenience of the prison and
the safety of the prisoners would permit.
Fourth-The following prisoners are now in
solitary confinement, and have been for the
following periods No. 1877. Fl. Hunt, convicted
of murder, 10 months: No. 999t VIM. Smidt
robbery, second termer, ~ and One-half months; ;
No. 62l, Patrick Nelch, grand larceny, second
teImer IS days; No. Az, John knight, second
term, 2i and one half months No. 635, Charles
Abbott, murder, second termer 81 months No.
109, Tom Brown, stage robbery, second termer,
was confined for 10 months, released two weeks
aga, and put back again for murderous assault
upon a prisoner No AS, John Smith, alias
Blueskin, robbery and garroting at Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco, second termer, % months /;
No. 1,019. Dick Reeves. burglary, second termer,
months No. si1 J. w Barry, assault to muir
der. one year o. l,O44, J. I. Mccarthy, petit
larceny, second ofiense, y days; No. ,25S, All
Ching, burglary, 2l months; James Winters,
assault to murder and burglary, third termer 81
months.
Fifth-All these prisoners have made attempt
to kill, attempts TO escape, or have been guilty
of flagrant breaches of the rules of the prison
and should receive severe punishment therefor
There are three insane prisoners who are kept
in solitary confinement by direction of the
physician. Winters has been placed in solitary
confinement since his commitment because he
was considered dangerous and desperate. He
is either insane or feigning insanity. We believe
he is feigning.
Sixth-The matter of punishment is a matter
that must be left to a great extent with the Of
tcers of the prison. The evidence before us
shows that the tendency in the Eastern States is
toward making solitary confinement the princi-
pal punishment for the reason that 1t does not
degrade OF humiliate the prisoner.
SeFenth-We believe that for ineorrigible
prisoners a separate institution should be pro-
vided, but as there is no such place provided in
this state, We believe that they should be sepa-
rated from the other prisoners.
Eighth-We find that the Warden and other
officers have not been cruel or inhuman in their
treatment of prisoners, and that the incorrigi-
bility of the above named prisoners deserved
the most severe discipline, and we indoIse their
action in the matter.
This report was adopted by the votes of
Devlin, Boggs Sonntag and Wilkins, Di-
rector Filcher dissenting.